Fractured Atlas is a non-profit technology company that provides business tools for artists.
History
Fractured Atlas was founded in 1998 by Executive Director Adam Huttler as a theater production company. Between 1998 and 2001, the company produced or presented numerous theatre, dance, and performance art shows in New York City.Zimmer, Elizabeth (June 8, 1999), "Girl Groove". The Village Voice.Asantewaa, Eva (May 2, 2000), Yaa "Great Reckonings in Little Rooms". The Village Voice Fractured Atlas's final major production, Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome, opened on September 7, 2001 at a theatre in lower Manhattan.Gates, Anita. "THEATER REVIEW; Foraging in the Mind, Where Slavery's Scars Linger". The New York Times, September 14, 2001. Following the financial fallout of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Fractured Atlas began a shift from a production company to a service organization.Weissman, Cale Guthrie (April 11, 2014). "Will Starving Artists Turn to Coding Instead of Waiting Tables". Pando Daily. The organization re-opened as a membership-based support organization for other artists in 2002. In 2007, it established the Open Arts Network, which closed in 2017.
In its early years as a service organization, Fractured Atlas was known for its programs providing health and other insurance, fiscal sponsorship, professional development, and other technical assistance.Ulaby, Neda (March 11, 2009), "Fractured Atlas Puts 'Biz' in Show Business". NPR. While these programs were all web-based, the organization did not begin seriously to position itself as a "technology company" until late 2009, when it announced the launch of ATHENA (later renamed Artful.ly).Huttler, Adam (December 8, 2009). "Announcing ATHENA Tix, a New Open Source Ticketing System". Fractured Atlas Blog. In August 2013, Fractured Atlas acquired Gemini SBS, which was previously an affiliated for-profit company that developed web applications for non-profit and arts industry clients.Hrywna, Mark (August 6, 2013). "Nonprofit Fractured Atlas Buys For-Profit Tech Firm". The Nonprofit Times. In 2014, Fractured Atlas launched the Arts Entrepreneurship AwardsHuttler, Adam (January 30, 2014). "2014 Arts Entrepreneurship Awards Honorees". Fractured Atlas Blog."Fractured Atlas Announces Winners of Arts Entrepreneurship Awards" . Forecast Public Art, February 26, 2014. and a software development fellowship program for artists.Ruth, João-Pierre S. (April 25, 2014). "The Arts Meet Coding: Fractured Atlas Fellowship for Tech Training". Xconomy.
Programs
The organization's primary services include fiscal sponsorship and insurance, along with the software products Artful.ly and Spaces. Other significant activity includes the Arts Entrepreneurship Awards and a software development fellowship for artists.
Fiscal Sponsorship
Fractured Atlas's fiscal sponsorship programs allows non-commercial art-related projects to be supported through grants and tax-deductible donations without the project having to maintain independent 501(c)(3) status.Catton, Pia (August 30, 2012). "The Nonprofit as Nonstarter". The Wall Street Journal. As of May 2014, the organization reported to be sponsoring nearly 3,500 artists and organizations through this program, and to have raised over $62 million in support of their work."Fractured Atlas Live Membership Stats". Accessed June 12, 2014.
Arts Entrepreneurship Awards
The Arts Entrepreneurship Awards seek to honor innovators and entrepreneurs in the business aspects of arts and culture.
2014 Winners
Rubber Repertory (Austin, Tex.)Brenner, Wayne Alan (February 4, 2014). "Rubber Repertory Wins National Arts Entrepreneurship Award". Austin Chronicle.Schiller, Be. "This Artist Colony in a Church has a New Spin on Traditional Arts Funding". Fast Company, February 21, 2014. Creative Partners (Chicago, Ill.) ArtHome (New York, N.Y.) Of a Kind (New York, N.Y.) Todd Scalise (Erie, Pa.)Vaillancourt, Cory (February 5, 2014). "Local Artist, National Recognition". Erie Reader.
Awards and recognition
Fractured Atlas has received a 4-star rating (the highest possible) on Charity Navigator"Fractured Atlas", Charity Navigator. Accessed June 12, 2014. in each of the past three years.
Fractured Atlas earned a 4.5 star aggregate rating on Great Nonprofits."Fractured Atlas - Volunteer, client and donor reviews and ratings". GreatNonprofits. Accessed June 12, 2014.
References
External links